The Brand Education Podcast

From growing up in Houston to leading communications at American University of Sharjah, Alanood Aldhaher shares how AUS has turned cultural authenticity into competitive advantage. Drawing from her experience at global PR agencies and UAE government institutions, she discusses breaking down silos between academia and industry, building research credibility, and creating an ecosystem that attracts international talent. A practical look at how universities can balance global excellence while staying true to local values.

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LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education⁠

X: https://x.com/education_brand

Meet Kevin Lynch, the creative mind who believes the best marketing doesn't feel like marketing. In this episode, he shares why authenticity trumps awards, how creative freedom transformed campaigns from Chicago's Art Institute to Oatly, and why breaking conventional rules leads to deeper audience connections.

From placing mysterious red cubes around Chicago to founding The Wrong Agency, Kevin challenges traditional brand thinking with a simple truth: "Brands aren't terribly different from people." Discover why he works for ideas rather than clients, how to find humor in serious industries, and why caring about your audience more than yourself creates the most compelling brand stories.

Key takeaways:

Listen for a masterclass in brave brand building from someone who's proven that sometimes, the wrong way is exactly right.

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LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education⁠

X: https://x.com/education_brand

In this episode, we dive into a ground breaking approach to collaborative brand management with Rachel Sandison, Vice Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor for External Engagement at the University of Glasgow.

Discover how Rachel is pushing boundaries to embed marketing at the heart of strategic decision-making and turn collaboration into a disruptive force for both global and local impact.

Rachel shares her visionary strategies on harnessing strategic storytelling and building impactful partnerships to drive transformative change.

Hit play for a thought-provoking conversation on innovation, leadership, and the power of collaboration in higher education.

Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: ⁠https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education⁠ 

X: ⁠https://x.com/education_brand

In our latest episode, we explore 'Metaskills', the thought-provoking book by Marty Neumeier, a visionary thinker, brand expert, and best selling author of 'THE BRAND GAP'.

As we grapple with complex, interconnected challenges of the 21st century, Marty reveals our problem-solving approach is outdated. He introduces five crucial metaskills - feeling, seeing, dreaming, making, and learning - as the key to thriving in a post-industrial world.

More than a manifesto, metaskills serve as a compass for education leaders, a framework for creatives, and a blueprint for cross-disciplinary innovation.

Join us as we discover how these metaskills can revolutionise problem-solving, foster creativity, and redefine human potential across diverse professions in the age of AI.

Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education 
X: https://x.com/education_brand

The former award-winning journalist turned Social Media Director at MIT, Jenny Li Fowler, spoke to us about how she cultivates an online community of over 6 million…and counting. 

In this episode, we explore what building an iconic higher education brand, like MIT, takes, and how Jenny and her team engages with such a large audience. Jenny highlighted the importance of not only speaking, but listening to your community, and how to make sure social media managers are granted a seat at the senior leadership table. 

Social media has not always been prioritised at universities, but through our conversation with Jenny, we hope you feel just as motivated as we did to ensure that they are not left out of the leadership conversation. We’re excited to unpack her wisdom and advice for others also wanting to excel in higher-ed social media. 

Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education 

X: https://x.com/education_brand

Paul LeBlanc is best known for his 21 years as President of Southern New Hampshire University. However, he recently made the decision to step down and focus on a new venture - Human Systems. 

We spoke about everything from AI in education, to how universities can reimagine their future and become relevant in this ever-changing environment. Paul was honest in his predictions for the sector, and how universities cannot afford to ignore change. But, we also explored what will stay the same, even through inevitable turbulent times. 

If you're intrigued by AI's role in shaping universities or eager to future-proof your institution, this episode is a must-listen.

Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education 
X: https://x.com/education_brand

Francisco Marmolejo is a visionary leader and President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation (QF), overseeing coordination and support for eight prestigious universities within a unique ecosystem. With a background in education management and specialisation in International Higher Education, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sector.

In this enlightening episode, Zeenat delves deep into the world of leadership with Francisco, exploring the importance of pushing boundaries and challenging assumptions to drive true innovation. Join them as they uncover valuable insights and strategies for success in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.

Isobelle Panton is the Director of student recruitment and international at University Academy 92. She had a successful commercial career working across digital organisations scaling up sales and recruitment teams. She is a keen equality, diversity and inclusion champion, and has made a deliberate move into Higher Education in a bid to couple her commercial skillset with her passion for helping people.

In this episode, Zeenat sits down with Isobelle to discuss her approach to driving student recruitment and building high-performing teams at UA92.

Bill Faust is the managing partner and Chief Strategy Officer of Ologie, a national branding and marketing agency based in Ohio, United States. Bill's primary role is to help make brands more clear, compelling, and consistent through market research, brand strategy and integrated marketing. 

Join us as Zeenat chats with Bill to discuss the stepping stones to connecting with customers. Honesty is at its core, as staying true to every brand promise fulfilled helps secure customer loyalty for many years to come. Tune in for an insightful conversation about how a relationship between businesses and their audience is cultivated!

Mark currently leads the Strategic Communications and Marketing at The Alan Turing Institute, where he also plays a crucial role in building the Institute's brand and reputation across the globe. Mark works closely with university partners and influential connections in industry, academia, research, and government highlighting the Institute’s research impact. Mark is also a key member of the Institute's leadership team.

In this episode, Zeenat chats with Mark to discuss how to build a purposeful brand with a distinct sense of authority. They also explore how the value a brand like The Alan Turing Institute brings to the community it serves. 

Tamira Hamden is a Level C-certified brand strategist, currently Head of Brand and Digital Communications at Oxford University Press. Tamira has a background in community, content and digital marketing.

In this episode, Zeenat sits down with Tamira to discuss how heritage brands can harness the power of an established brand in order to find a place in the 'new world'. 

John Pritchard, Chair of Russell Group Directors of Strategy and Planning, Director at Durham University, and Board Trustee for Groundwork.

Lucian Hudson, Director, Advancement, Marketing & Communications at Durham University.  

In this episode, Zeenat sits down with John and Lucian to discuss the role strategy plays in brand & marketing at Durham University.

Dr Nick Mount, Academic Director of University of Nottingham Online. Nick is leading the design, development, and delivery of learning in the University's multi-million-pound online education investment.

UONO is taking a radical approach by framing all learning, from the point of learning design, within a competency framework so that students can directly map the competencies to the needs of employers and into digital badging. It has caused tension as academics resist what they see as ‘dumbing down’ and a loss of academic framing, but there is much to be gained from the perspective of the student.

In this episode, Zeenat sits down with Nick to discuss online learning, creating the UONO brand from scratch and innovation.

Johanna Lowe is Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the University of Sydney and is well-versed in building brands that stretch beyond advertising. With a background in the corporate world, her experience in HE over the past 9 years has seen her deliver groundbreaking and effective campaigns that continually build upon a united, master brand strategy for the institution.

In this episode, Zeenat sits down with Johanna to discuss purpose-driven, meaningful brands and how these strategies - driven by visionary CMOs - can articulate the value of the university to society in an impactful way.

Martyn Edwards is current Director of Marketing and Advancement at Loughborough University. Starting out in international student recruitment, he has worked across various marketing leadership roles, and holds other external advisory and committee positions. Martyn’s restless yet captivating energy makes him a marketing leader that can keep spinning many plates at once, while strategically managing teams that directly contribute to university-side strategies through their work.

In this episode, Zeenat sits down with Martyn to discuss strategy, reputation, and up-skilling. Through an inclusive feedback approach, institutions and their leaders should focus on their strengths while also taking on board where they need to improve through reputation and excellence management.

Paul Baines is Professor of Political Marketing and the Deputy Dean for Strategic Projects at the University of Leicester. He is also a councillor for Charnwood Borough Council, lending local insight to a career that has seen him work in higher education institutions around the world. Paul’s interests lie in commercial income generation, and his viewpoints on institutional branding, stakeholder awareness, and how universities should look to the future lend valuable insight to other leaders.

In this episode, Zeenat sits down with Paul to examine the complexities surrounding university branding, and the importance and strength of distinctiveness: leaders should choose what type of university they really want to be and focus future energies on this consolidated provision.

Emma Leech is a strong performance and driven leader with an ability to build sustainable and high-performing teams. She has won a string of awards over more than two decades spanning PR, marketing, innovation, fundraising, digital, and web.

Currently, Emma is Director of Marketing and Communications at Nottingham Trent University where she oversees a team of circa 200 people. She is also a member of the University Executive team, Board Member and CIPR President, 2019.

In this episode, Emma shares how her leadership style of empowering her team leads to high-performance and delivery of excellence.

Ethan Braden serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Purdue University, reporting to President Mitch Daniels, the former two-term Governor of Indiana. Ethan and his team have developed a brand approach that has been recognised through a plethora of awards including American Marketing Association’s 2020 Marketer of the Year, Higher Education Team of the Year, and selection on Fast Company Magazine’s inaugural ‘Brands That Matter’ list in 2021. 

In this episode we discuss how the Purdue rebrand evolved their reputation and placed them in league with McDonald’s and Nike.

Jane Chafer is director of marketing, recruitment and global at University of Exeter, following senior communication and marketing roles at both Sheffield and Plymouth Universities.  A Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, in 2019, selected by the CASE Board of Trustees, Jane became a member of the CASE Commission on Communications and Marketing.

In this episode, Zeenat sits down with Jane, to discuss the importance of creating brand champions and the role data and insight plays to secure marketing funding and buy-in.

David Rosowsky is a 30-year veteran of higher ed, with 15 years of academic leadership experience, he is both passionate about and deeply committed to promoting the power and potential of public universities. Currently David is the Vice President for Research (VPR) at Kansas State University, the nation's first operational land-grant university.

In this episode David shares how he gained the trust of his colleagues to challenge and change their brand strategy.

Professor Guy Littlefair is an executive university leader. He has an exceptional 30+ year record in industry, research and academia. Currently Guy is Pro Vice-Chancellor International and Dean of the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies at AUT in Auckland.

In this episode, Zeenat interviews Guy who discusses how he is overcoming common problems facing universities and the measures he has taken to ensure AUT is meeting the needs of its stakeholders.